Steven Spielberg To Lead Jury At Cannes

via glooce

 

Steven Spielberg is to head up the jury at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for the first time this year.

The director will help decide which film wins the event's top prize, the coveted Palme d'Or.

He said the role was an "honour and a privilege" and also spoke of his own affection for the festival, which takes place in the glamorous French resort from May 15 - 26.

"The memory of my first Cannes Film Festival, nearly 31 years ago with the debut of E.T, is still one of the most vibrant memories of my career," said the 66-year-old.

"For over six decades, Cannes has served as a platform for extraordinary films to be discovered and introduced to the world for the first time."

Festival president Gilles Jacob said he had been trying for some time to get Spielberg to lead the judging panel.

"I've often asked Steven to be jury president," he told the festival's website.

"But he's always been shooting a film. So when this year I was told 'E.T., phone home', I understood and immediately replied: 'At last!'"

Spielberg has directed some of the best-loved movies in Hollywood history such as Jaws, Raiders Of The Lost Ark and Jurassic Park.

He has also won best director Oscars for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.

However, there was disappointment for the film-maker at last week's ceremony when he was beaten to the award for a third time after being nominated for Lincoln.

Last year's Cannes jury was headed by Italian director and producer Nanni Moretti, and included the likes of actor Ewan McGregor and fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

The Palme d'Or was won by Michael Haneke's Amour, a stark film about love and death.

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